Honda Considering Production of Hybrids in China

16 June 2007

Honda is considering building its Civic Hybrid in China, according to a report in the Shanghai Daily. If the plan proceeds, China would become Honda’s first hybrid production site outside Japan.

As a first step, Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co Ltd, a joint venture formed by Honda and Dongfeng Automobile Group, said it plans to start selling imported hybrid Civics in China within three months, a deputy manager told Shanghai Daily.

“It would be a trial operation to test the market response before localized production begins,” he said.

Toyota currently builds the Prius in China, and is targeting sales of 3,000 units a year there.